The Beauty Shop Residency Program Celebrates Six Months of Solid Art!

Author: Nate Logsdon

The southeast Iowa town of Fairfield is a mysterious and beautiful little community with a dynamic arts scene. I was first exposed to Fairfield in 2009, when Mumford’s traveled there to play at the local DIY space The Beauty Shop.

In the intervening years, I have become deeply connected to this town. I’ve played countless shows with Fairfield bands like Utopia Park, Little Ruckus, Coyote Slingshot, Surgery, Trouble Lights, Lane Weaver, Josie Overmyer, Muf’n Top, This Big, Nathaniel Alexander, X-Ray Mary, and more. I’ve played in many local venues, like The Beauty Shop, Cafe Paradiso, Thug Estates, Castle Grey Skull, and the Sondheim Center. I’ve made some of the deepest friendships of my life. I’ve even fallen in love with one of the town’s brightest artists (PDA).

And now I’m honored to say that I will be spending a full month in Fairfield as a part of The Beauty Shop Residency Program as one of the artists-in-residence for the month of June. Each month, The Beauty Shop feeds and houses a different artist as a part of this program, giving the artists time, space, resources, and support to accomplish projects.

I will be sharing the June residency with the Colorado-based musician Gryph of the great band Dovekins. I look forward to working side-by-side and collaborating.

My goals for my residency are two-fold. First, I will accomplish music projects with my Fairfield friends, including a new Beef Cake show that incorporates local horn players and drag/burlesque performers; I will also play any show anywhere at any time under any circumstances. Second, and more importantly, I will use my skills as a writer, promoter and organizer to promote Fairfield and foster new collaborations in the already thriving art scene.

I will be regularly writing about my experiences in Fairfield for the Ames Progressive and many other publications and blogs. This is one of the most exciting opportunities of my life and I promise to use it to hype Iowa all the more.